AFC Telford set out plans to go full-time
AFC Telford United are on the verge of strengthening their position through extra investment – as they announced a vision for the playing staff to go full-time in the next 18 months.
Interim chairman Andy Pryce and board member Luke Fearnall hosted a fans’ forum at a packed New Bucks Head last night where plans for the Bucks’ future under new boss Rob Edwards were discussed.
Questions were put to the board members on potential investors, on the departed Rob Smith, Larry Chambers and Ian Dosser and Edwards’ tenure.
“There is new investment, there is new monies – it’s not mega amounts of money,” said Pryce.
“But what it does allow is a partnership with an existing partner to grow and provide a bit more stability for this football club because it was going the wrong way again.
“The partnership is creating a new footballing philosophy, a more professional environment and facilities that Telford United can use.
“That’s what it comes down to. They’re not going to be in here in five years saying ‘I want all our money back’.
“There is funding coming in for existing services they help us with. With the community, the youth set-up, help with the ground and facilities.
“All of that is cost saving for us which means we can survive. It’s not new investment or a lump sum of money. It’s an ongoing partnership.”
The club’s former management team Smith and Chambers left last week.
While Pryce, who took the interim role after former chairman Dosser also left last week, confirmed the investors took part in discussions regarding the future of Smith and Chambers.
The club’s long-term aims were also laid out.
“We had discussions with them (the investors) about how they wanted to help with the footballing philosophy, with the environment of the football team and everything else,” Pryce added.
“The main aim for this club is to go full-time. The way we’ve discussed, there’s a good possibility that could be within the next 12 to 18 months.”
Pryce confirmed that the club’s shareholders situation and day-to-day running will remain the same.
The interim chair said: “It’s a very, very flexible agreement.”
“It’s an ongoing agreement. There’s nothing signed. Going forward they’ve set it’ll be from three to five years going onto 10 years.”
